Religious School Mitzvah

CHARITIES

Tzedakah, literally justice, means more than just giving money. It is a responsibility, a duty, and an obligation to care about and help people. There are many ways to practice tzedakah and encompass many of the values from our tradition. Our school classes considered these when they each decided where their tsedakah money would go. Below are the charities chosen by the students for the 2014/2015 school year:

Nursery and Pre-kindergarten- The Religious School Relief Fund – so everyone can have a chance to learn about being Jewish and to learn Torah. (Talmud Torah)

First Grade- The Religious School Relief Fund – so everyone can have a chance to learn about being Jewish and to learn Torah. (Talmud Torah)

Second Grade-OST Soup Kitchen – to provide food for people who are hungry and don’t have money to buy it (Ha’achalat Re’evim, Feeding the Hungry)

Third Grade-Nature Conservancy (trees) – the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. (xxx)

Fourth Grade- OASIS Social Ministry– to provide meals and services to the homeless and the less fortunate in Western Tidewater. (Pe’ah, Helping the Poor in a Dignified Way; and Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World)

Fifth Grade- Lone Soldiers Program of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces –in support of the soldiers who leave their families and countries of origin to serve the State of Israel. (Ahavat Ger, Love of the Stranger in your Midst; and G’milut Chasidim, Acts of Loving-Kindness)

Sixth Grade- OST Caring Committee – to help with all of the projects out Temple supports. (Kehillah, Community; and Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World)

Seventh Grade- The World Wildlife Fund – to support and preserve wild animals and their habitats. (Tza’ar Ba’alei Hayyim, Preventing Harm to Animals)

Eighth Grade- JNF (Jewish National Fund) and JCOC (The Judeo-Christian Outreach Center) – to help with the development of Israeli land and infrastructure, especially planting tree; and breaking the cycle of homeessness in Virginia Beach. (xxxKehellah, Community; and Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World)